About the Program

A tradition of choral excellence has long been a part of Millikin's history. With more than 300 singers, the choral program now includes four traditional choirs led by a nationally recognized staff of conductors. Music majors and non-majors alike count their choral experience as among the most profound during their college years. In addition to their own performance schedule choirs have opportunities to perform together for large-scale choral/orchestral works in the spring. All participate together for Vespers, the largest single event on Millikin's campus drawing 7,000 people annually. Recordings of the choirs may be purchased through First Step Records, Millikins' student led label.

What choirs are at Millikin?

The flagship of the Millikin choral fleet, the University Choir features 45 upper-class students from a variety of majors. Membership in the choir places high demands on students who travel extensively throughout the United States representing the university in a variety of settings. In recent years, the choir has also toured internationally to Ireland, Scotland, England, China, Taiwan, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. The choir will tour the Baltic region in May, 2014. The Millikin University Choir has gained national recognition, due inpart to six invitations to perform at national and regional conferences of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Their performances have fostered new conversations in response to their approach to tone, style and programming. The choir has six recordings on Millikin's FirstStep Recordslabel.

The Collegiate Chorale is an upper-class select mixed ensemble exploring all forms of choral music from five centuries of standardrepertoire. The choir tours annually throughout the region. Recently, they were invited to perform for the Regional Conference of the American Choral Director's Association. The choir's recording From the Heart, is available on Millikin's FirstStep Records label.

Fifty-five voices strong, the Millikin Men's Choir sings a broad variety of repertoire. Whether before a crowd of 70,000 for the national anthem at a Chicago Bears game, before an audience of conductors at the IL-MEA Conference or in front of an audience of high school choristers at the annual Millikin Vocal Festival, the Millikin Men are a favorite wherever they perform.

Millikin Women has a long-standing tradition of excellence at Millikin. The choir is a select group of 80 singers. The choir frequently receives special invitations for performances state-wide,and tours in the spring. Annually they host the Millikin Women's Choir Festival which draws high school women's choirs from throughout the state.

How may I sing in a choir?

Any Millikin University student can audition for a choir. Audition notices are posted in the School of Music lobby at the beginning of each academic year. Contact Dr. Brad Holmes for more information.